The military personnel of the Ghilarza Carabinieri Company, with the operational support of the Cagliari Carabinieri Company, have arrested a young man, seriously suspected of having taken part, in conjunction with other individuals who are being identified, in an aggravated extortion perpetrated using the so-called "fake Carabiniere" technique.

The victim, an 80-year-old woman living in the Cagliari area , had been contacted by telephone by a self-proclaimed Carabinieri officer who falsely told her that her nephew was at risk of arrest for having hit a pregnant woman with his car. Preying on the woman's intense distress and understandable concern, the caller forced her, in order to avoid legal consequences for her nephew, to hand over money and valuables to a supposed "Carabiniere in charge," who shortly thereafter showed up at her home.

The woman then handed over numerous jewels to the criminals, worth over 13,000 euros, and 870 euros in cash.

After realizing she'd been scammed, the woman filed a complaint with the Carabinieri, the real police. The force was then able to track down the young man, who was located at a hotel in Oristano and subsequently arrested.

During the searches, the jewels and money were found, cleverly hidden under the soles of the shoes worn by the suspect, which were then recognised by the victim and seized for subsequent restitution.

(Unioneonline)

© Riproduzione riservata